Seeing the Father in the Son: A Review of John 14

[00:08:31] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Let us pray.
[00:08:57] Let us pray.
[00:09:00] The Gospel of John
[00:10:10] The Gospel of the Lord.
[00:10:42] Let us pray.

[00:11:57] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]:
I am homesick for a country To which I've never been before No sad goodbyes will there be store

[00:12:49] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
And someday on thee I'll stand There my home shall be eternal

[00:13:15] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]:
I'm looking now across the river
[00:13:40] There's just a few more days to labor than I will today.

[00:14:16] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
And someday on thee I'll stand There my home shall be eternal
[00:14:54] And someday on thee I'll stand There my home shall be eternal
[00:15:23] Sweep you the land.

[00:15:32] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Why don't you go ahead and join us in this next hymn, In the Sweet Fire.
[00:15:36] Let's stand together with our welcome to Him.

[00:15:42] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
In the sweet by and by We shall meet on that beautiful shore In the sweet by and by We shall meet on that beautiful shore There's a land that is fairer than day And by faith we can see it afar
[00:16:13] The Father waits over the way, to prepare us a dwelling place there, in the sweet by and by.
[00:16:27] We shall meet on that beautiful shore In the sweet white byline We shall meet on that beautiful shore We shall sing on that beautiful shore The melodious songs of the West And our spirits shall sorrow no more
[00:17:00] In the sweet by and by We shall meet on that beautiful shore To our bountiful Father above
[00:17:28] We will offer our tribute of praise For the glorious gift of His love And the blessings that hallow our days In the sweet Lion God
[00:17:48] We shall meet on that beautiful shore In the sweet by and by We shall meet on that beautiful shore And all God's people say it.

[00:18:07] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Amen.

[00:18:07] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Good morning.
[00:18:12] Good morning.
[00:18:13] It's great to see you here today.
[00:18:15] We are thrilled to have you at Trinity Baptist Church joining us for worship and praise as we lift up our voices and honor the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, the Lord Jesus Christ.
[00:18:27] And we are thrilled you're here with us.
[00:18:29] And if you're visiting with us today, we want to bid you a warm welcome in the name of the Lord and on behalf of our Trinity Baptist family.
[00:18:35] In fact, our deacons have some gift bags that they would love to put in the hands
[00:18:39] of those of you that may be first-time visitors today and there's some things in that bag we want you to take home that'll help you remember your visit here at Trinity but there's a guest card that's going to be a part of that bag and we want to ask you to take a moment and fill that out placed in the offering plate when it comes by just a little bit later in the service so we'll have record of your visit here with us today and we would love to know of your presence here in the service so
[00:19:03] If you are visiting, if you'll just lift your hand about like this as they make their way down the aisle, hold your hand up high enough and long enough for them to spot you, and that will help us out.
[00:19:13] If you're joining us via live stream this morning, we want to welcome you here into the sanctuary at Trinity Baptist Church.
[00:19:19] In Mooresville, North Carolina, and we are thrilled that you're a part of what God's doing in this service today as well.
[00:19:25] And we just want to invite you to participate in every aspect of the service.
[00:19:30] When we sing in a few moments together, hopefully you've already started singing with us.
[00:19:34] When we go to the Lord in prayer, we invite you to approach God's throne along with us as well.
[00:19:39] And then when we open God's Word to the Gospel of John, as we're continuing in our series there this morning, we invite you to grab a copy of God's Word, have it ready,
[00:19:49] and just follow along with us as we study His Word together.
[00:19:53] And again, looking forward to all that God's going to do from wherever you may be this morning as we lift our voices in worship and praise to Him.
[00:20:02] Would you join with me as we go to the Lord this morning and just begin our service?
[00:20:08] Father, even as we've opened the service today, we've just been reminded, even in this song, of just the sweet promises that You've given us
[00:20:19] The sweet assurances that we have each and every day of what it means to walk with the living God.
[00:20:29] Lord, to know you and to make you known.
[00:20:32] And Father, as we just enter into this time of worship today, Lord, we want to do so by just beginning in our own hearts and minds entering your throne room in prayer.
[00:20:49] And Lord, here we ask you today, we ask you to meet us at our very point of need.
[00:20:57] Lord, you know all the things that we've faced in the past week and the decisions that we've had to make and the situations and circumstances that we have found ourselves in with all kinds of activity.
[00:21:09] and Lord you you also know what's out there in front of us this coming week we don't really know but but you do you know the challenges we'll face you know the situations that will arise and you know the circumstances that will be before us and while we don't know the future we know that you do and we know that you see all things but father we also know that in this very moment in this very hour
[00:21:39] We want to settle our eyes fully upon you.
[00:21:46] Lord, we want to focus on you.
[00:21:49] We want to focus on who you are.
[00:21:51] We want to focus on what you want to say to us today, Father.
[00:21:56] We want to focus on how you want to shape us and transform us, Father.
[00:22:04] We just ask your presence.
[00:22:08] To so flood this sanctuary that your presence would show up at the very places that folks are tuning in right now from live stream or even from their own homes if they're watching a delayed broadcast.
[00:22:25] Father, we pray that in these moments, that these would be moments of worship.
[00:22:32] These would be moments of letting our minds and hearts be opened
[00:22:39] and moments where truly your presence changes everything.
[00:22:46] For that's what we need.
[00:22:49] In fact, that's what we long for.
[00:22:53] And so Lord, may you just guide us now.
[00:22:56] May you let our voices and our words that we'll express in song, Lord, let them be as that sweet aroma that rises from this location
[00:23:08] To the very throne room of God and to your very nostrils, Lord, let that sweet aroma be so clear.
[00:23:17] We love you this morning.
[00:23:19] We express that to you.
[00:23:22] Father, may you be honored and glorified in all that is said and done in this place.
[00:23:29] And it's in the mighty name of Jesus, the name above all names, that I lift this prayer.
[00:23:35] And all God's people said,
[00:23:38] Amen well listen if you have children with you that are preschool through third grade we want to invite them to join us in children's church this morning so in a moment when we stand to greet one another the children make their way here to the front to my right and your left and they'll be welcomed into children's church this morning so let's all stand to your feet right where you are if you will take a moment and turn around and shake a few hands hug a few necks of people you see around you introduce yourself know who you're worshiping with this morning as we lift our voices

[00:24:46] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul, Worship his holy name.
[00:24:58] Sing like never before, O my soul, I worship your holy name.
[00:25:14] The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning It's time to sing your song again Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me Let me be singing when the evening comes
[00:25:44] Christ the Lord, O my soul, O my soul, worship His holy name.
[00:25:58] Sing like never before, O my soul, I worship Your holy name.
[00:26:11] Your rich in love and your slow to anger Your name is great and your heart is kind For all your goodness I will keep on singing Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find
[00:26:43] In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
[00:26:59] Amen.
[00:27:30] And on that day when my strength is failing The end draws near and my time has come Still my soul sing Your praise unending Ten thousand years and live forever
[00:28:04] The Lord is with you.
[00:29:05] Seem like never before, O my soul, I'll worship your holy name.
[00:29:27] I'll worship your holy name.
[00:29:30] Lord, I'll worship your holy name.
[00:29:55] I see the stars, I hear the
[00:30:14] In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
[00:30:34] Amen.
[00:30:51] In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

[00:31:08] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Amen.

[00:31:12] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
[00:31:36] Amen.
[00:31:48] In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
[00:32:14] Amen.
[00:32:27] In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

[00:32:42] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Amen.

[00:32:58] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Good morning, Trinity.
[00:33:01] It's a beautiful day to be in the house of the Lord.
[00:33:03] Amen?
[00:33:05] It's time in our service now that we may give back to the Lord a portion of what he's provided for us.
[00:33:12] For those online, please go to TrinityBaptist.com.
[00:33:17] Let us pray.
[00:33:20] Heavenly Father, thank you for this place of worship.
[00:33:23] Thank you for the wonderful staff that we have here at Trinity.
[00:33:27] Thank you also, Lord, for the future Trinity Christian Academy where we may be able to train and equip the next generation in the faith and following of our Christian principles.
[00:33:39] Lord, keep us in your mercy and love and keep us on your path.
[00:33:43] In Jesus' name, Amen.

[00:34:15] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
I just want to speak the name of Jesus Over every heart and every mind I know there is peace within your presence I speak Jesus

[00:34:41] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
I just want to speak the name of Jesus Till every dark addiction starts to break Declaring there is hope and there is freedom I speak Jesus

[00:35:05] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Your name is power.
[00:35:09] Your name is healing.
[00:35:11] Your name is life.
[00:35:19] Break every stronghold.
[00:35:22] Shine through the shadows.
[00:35:25] Burn like a fire.

[00:35:33] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
I just want to speak the name of Jesus Over fear and all anxiety To every soul held captive by depression I speak Jesus
[00:35:57] Your name is power.

[00:36:01] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
Your name is healing.
[00:36:04] Your name is life.
[00:36:11] Break every stronghold.
[00:36:14] Shine through the shadows.
[00:36:17] Burn like a fire.
[00:36:23] Your name is power Your name is healing Your name is life Break every stronghold Shine through the shadows Burn like a fire

[00:36:50] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
Shout Jesus from the mountains, Jesus in the streets, Jesus in the darkness over every enemy.

[00:37:03] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Jesus for my family, I speak the holy name, Jesus.

[00:37:16] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
Shout Jesus from the mountains,

[00:37:20] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
Jesus in the streets Jesus in the darkness over every enemy Jesus for my family I speak the holy name Jesus Shout Jesus from the mountains

[00:37:45] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
Jesus in the streets Jesus in the darkness over every enemy Jesus for my family I speak the holy name Jesus Your name is power Your name is healing
[00:38:20] of the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit,
[00:38:46] Break every stronghold Shine through the shadows The light of God I just want to speak the name of Jesus

[00:39:13] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Over every heart and every mind Cause I know there is peace within your presence I speak Jesus

[00:39:46] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Well, amen and amen.
[00:39:48] Thank you so much, choir and orchestra and Joseph and Lindsay, for blessing us this morning.
[00:39:54] And what a great, great time of worship and praise we've had here as we've just lifted up his voice this morning.
[00:40:02] Turn in your Bibles, if you will, to the Gospel of John.
[00:40:04] The Gospel of John, the 14th chapter, is where I invite you to turn this morning.
[00:40:10] And
[00:40:12] The context of the passage of Scripture here is really a series of dialogue that's between the disciples and the Lord Jesus.
[00:40:25] For instance, you notice the disciples ask a question and then the Lord Jesus replies to that question.
[00:40:34] It actually starts all the way back
[00:40:37] In the 13th chapter when Peter sort of started it by asking Jesus about his departure in verse 36 of chapter 13 and then in chapter 14 verse 5 that's when Thomas asked the question and said but but Lord
[00:40:56] How do we know where you're going?
[00:40:57] We don't know the way.
[00:41:00] To which Jesus, of course, responded, Thomas, I am the way, the truth, and the life.
[00:41:06] No one comes to the Father but by me.
[00:41:10] But now this morning, the dialogue continues, and this morning it's going to be by Philip.
[00:41:17] Giving a question to the Lord, and then you're going to see the Lord replying to Philip.
[00:41:24] Now, remember the scene.
[00:41:26] It's very important, again, to get the context of what we're really understanding here today.
[00:41:32] Jesus has told them he's going away.
[00:41:35] He's talking to them about the imminency of the cross.
[00:41:39] It literally is just right around the corner.
[00:41:42] Matter of hours, Jesus is going to die on the cross for the sins of the entire world.
[00:41:49] And these disciples who had walked with him for a period of three years intimately are now hearing that he's going away.
[00:42:01] Things are about to change, and I mean change pretty dramatically.
[00:42:06] and so we've already talked about this in recent weeks that you can you can imagine the heartache that they feel you can imagine a confusion somewhat of the concern that they've got and the pain of these fellows and so what we're finding here in the 14th chapter is Jesus is speaking words which comfort their hearts but at the same time reveal truth to them
[00:42:33] that's going to help them live for Him, help them serve Him, and help them be as effective as they can be after He has left this earth and returned to the right hand of the Father.
[00:42:50] I want you to stand, if you will, in honor of the reading of the Word of God.
[00:42:55] We're going to pick up in verse 7.
[00:42:56] We're going to read down through verse 15 in John chapter 14.
[00:43:03] Jesus says if you had known me you would have known my father also and from now on you know him and have seen him Philip said to him verse 8 show us the father and it is sufficient for us or some translations say it satisfies us Jesus said to him
[00:43:32] Have I been with you so long, and yet you've not known me, Philip?
[00:43:38] He who has seen me has seen the Father.
[00:43:41] So how can you say, Show us the Father?
[00:43:45] Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me?
[00:43:50] The words that I speak to you, I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me.
[00:44:02] But the Father who dwells in me does the works.
[00:44:06] Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me, or else believe me for the sake of the works themselves.
[00:44:17] Most assuredly I say to you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also.
[00:44:24] And greater works than these he will do, because I go to the Father.
[00:44:31] And whatever you ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
[00:44:41] If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.
[00:44:46] If you love me, keep my commandments.
[00:44:53] Father, I just pray in these next few minutes that you would help us understand the importance
[00:45:02] of what is going to happen here.
[00:45:06] Father, that you are moving in the hearts and minds of men and women all over this campus and even via the vehicle of livestream.
[00:45:16] Father, I pray that in these moments that you would just take us and open our hearts, open our minds, and open our eyes
[00:45:29] To have great understanding like we've never had before.
[00:45:34] Lord, we do love you and we need you this very hour.
[00:45:44] We need you.
[00:45:46] And I pray personally that you let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight.
[00:45:52] In Jesus' name I pray.
[00:45:55] Amen.
[00:45:58] I hope you notice that Philip here is expressing a great desire.
[00:46:04] A desire to know God better.
[00:46:09] Did you see that?
[00:46:11] A desire to know God better.
[00:46:13] I think it's the desire of every genuine believer
[00:46:17] to get to know God in a more and more intimate way, in a more and more personal way.
[00:46:24] We want to know God.
[00:46:26] We want God to be real in our lives.
[00:46:29] We want to have this relationship with Him that is growing and is real.
[00:46:35] And so as we work our way through this passage, this dialogue between Philip and Jesus, I think you're gonna see how God can be more real in your life
[00:46:46] So if you're a notetaker, I want you to jot down a few things with me, if you will.
[00:47:01] Number one, I want you to notice the request because that's very important.
[00:47:06] It's in verse 8, and you notice that it is a request when Philip said to him,
[00:47:13] Show us the Father that it is sufficient for us.
[00:47:19] Now we know that request came as a response of Philip to a startling statement that Jesus had made back in verse seven.
[00:47:27] Go back and look at it.
[00:47:28] He said, if you'd known me, you would have known my Father also.
[00:47:33] And from now on, you know him and have seen him.
[00:47:40] Now,
[00:47:41] That's when Philip brings forth his question.
[00:47:45] Lord, show us the Father.
[00:47:52] Think about that.
[00:47:53] Jesus has just said, if you want to know God, if you want to know the God of creation, if you want to know the God of the universe, if you want to know God, you have to know me.
[00:48:09] It's very similar to the words he had used back in verse 6.
[00:48:13] No man, no person of humanity comes to the Father except through who?
[00:48:24] Jesus.
[00:48:27] And Philip is actually responding to the statements of Jesus that the way you get to know the Father is through the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
[00:48:38] I think it's interesting when you really go back and track Philip's growth and development as a disciple.
[00:48:46] You can do that, by the way, just right here in the Gospel of John.
[00:48:50] Several times Philip shows up here in the Gospel of John in a pretty interesting way.
[00:48:56] For instance, back in John chapter 1 verse 43, Jesus said to Philip,
[00:49:01] Follow me.
[00:49:03] And guess what?
[00:49:04] Philip did.
[00:49:05] He became a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.
[00:49:09] But then a few chapters later in John chapter 6 verse 5, there's this great multitude that's gathered together to hear Jesus teach.
[00:49:17] And Jesus said to his disciples, we need to feed these people.
[00:49:22] Remember what Philip said?
[00:49:24] He said, where in the world will we buy this much bread that all these people will have enough to eat?
[00:49:31] Another growing experience, teaching moment in Philip's life.
[00:49:39] And then if you go a few chapters more in John chapter 12 and in verse 21 some Greeks came and they say they want to see Jesus.
[00:49:48] Well, guess what?
[00:49:49] It was Philip and Andrew who went to get Jesus and brought Jesus to these Greeks, brought them together.
[00:49:58] Yet another growth moment and growing time in the life of Philip.
[00:50:05] See, for three years
[00:50:08] Philip has been walking with Jesus.
[00:50:11] He's witnessed the miracles that Jesus performed.
[00:50:16] Think about it.
[00:50:17] He's heard the words that Jesus has taught and had to say.
[00:50:23] Philip is obviously in these three years, he is growing, he's developing in his life.
[00:50:30] So his question itself, to be honest with you, I think it's a pretty cool question.
[00:50:35] It shows his growth and his depth as a believer when he says, Lord, show us the Father.
[00:50:46] What's he really saying?
[00:50:47] He's saying, I want to know God better.
[00:50:51] I want to get better acquainted with God.
[00:50:54] And you know what that is?
[00:50:56] That's spiritual maturity in progress.
[00:51:00] That really is.
[00:51:01] He is maturing in his faith.
[00:51:04] And listen, as you come to the Lord Jesus Christ, as you come to grow in the Lord, as you come to study your Bible, and as you come to live out the Christian life, you're going to find all along the way a most amazing thing happens.
[00:51:20] You know what it is?
[00:51:22] Your desires change.
[00:51:25] Isn't that true?
[00:51:28] If you've really grown as a disciple, if you've really grown as a follower of Jesus Christ, your desires will change.
[00:51:39] You say, but how, preacher?
[00:51:42] I'll tell you how.
[00:51:44] You're gonna become more interested in God himself
[00:51:50] That's the sign of maturity.
[00:52:01] That's the real sign of spiritual growth, that you're more interested in God Himself than the things God can do for you.
[00:52:14] You know what I'm talking about.
[00:52:17] When a man or a woman first comes to Christ,
[00:52:20] You know how it works.
[00:52:21] We talk about it all the time.
[00:52:23] You recognize that you're a sinner.
[00:52:26] You realize you're desperately in need of a Savior.
[00:52:29] And so you repent of your sin.
[00:52:31] You place your faith in Jesus and Jesus alone.
[00:52:35] You surrender to Him as Lord of your life.
[00:52:38] And you receive the gift of eternal life, just like Romans 6, 23 says, for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.
[00:52:51] Now, you've gotten saved.
[00:52:53] What happens next?
[00:52:55] Well, as a young new believer, a lot of our lives begin to be engulfed in, hmm, what can God do for me?
[00:53:07] What things can God give us?
[00:53:10] I mean, you know how it is.
[00:53:13] As a young believer,
[00:53:15] You're pretty much dominated by, Lord, give me joy in my life.
[00:53:22] You're pretty dominated by, Lord, meet my needs.
[00:53:27] You're pretty dominated by, Lord, do this for me, do that for me.
[00:53:32] Check out your prayer list, and it looks like a Santa Claus wish list.
[00:53:40] Because as a young believer, you've got this faith.
[00:53:43] You've got this trust.
[00:53:44] You've given your life to Christ.
[00:53:46] You're just working it out and you're wanting to see what comes of it.
[00:53:51] I summarize it this way.
[00:53:52] You're most interested in the gifts of God as a new believer.
[00:54:01] Now I can tell by the look of deer in headlights, some of you are still there.
[00:54:08] And you're beginning to wonder where this message is going because it's already getting real convicting.
[00:54:17] But you focus on the God of the gifts.
[00:54:21] You're a new believer.
[00:54:23] You're a follower of Christ.
[00:54:25] No matter how old you are, but you're just, you're learning.
[00:54:31] And it's all about the gifts of God.
[00:54:35] But when you grow,
[00:54:37] and you mature as you ought to mature as a Christian, you come to a point that you make a shift from focusing on the gifts of God to you and you shift to the God of the gifts because you're now all wrapped up in Him.
[00:55:11] See, one of the problems in the church in America today, too many people still focused on the God of the gifts, or the gifts of God, rather than focused on eternal God.
[00:55:29] The God of the gifts.
[00:55:36] That's why that song made such an impact years ago.
[00:55:41] Lord, I praise you just for who you are.
[00:55:48] Not just all the mighty things that you've done, but Lord, I worship you for who you are.
[00:56:03] So, I wonder,
[00:56:07] If you've made that shift where you're focusing more on the God of the gifts, because when that begins to happen, you're more into God Himself.
[00:56:18] You're more interested in living a life of holiness.
[00:56:22] You're more interested in what it means to walk with God.
[00:56:27] Listen, you have a desire to get to know God in His depths.
[00:56:32] You have a desire to get to know God in His glory.
[00:56:36] You have a desire to get to know God in His power.
[00:56:40] And that's what Philip said, I want to know God more.
[00:56:52] that it is sufficient for us similar translations have the word that it satisfy us and by the way Philip right there is voicing a request that is a universal desire in the heart of every individual you say what do you mean preacher hey news flash God
[00:57:16] The Creator has created every human heart with a desire to know Him.
[00:57:25] That's a fact.
[00:57:30] Now you may have missed it.
[00:57:32] You've been filling that hole with everything else because you've got a God.
[00:57:37] May not be the eternal true God of heaven, but you filling that hole with a God because God has created every human heart with a desire to know Him.
[00:57:49] How do I know that?
[00:57:50] Because you go anywhere on this earth,
[00:57:52] and listen I've plenty over 36 years I've made mission trips to India numbers of times I've been to Romania numbers of times I've been to Guatemala a number of times wherever you go their gods may be a little more primitive their gods may be inferior in your eyes but no matter where you go you will find the desire of human beings to know God
[00:58:19] doesn't matter you go to the deepest darkest parts of anywhere you find a human being you're gonna find a desire to know God and that's what Philip is saying Lord show us the Father we want to know God in all of his fullness we want to know God in all his reality
[00:58:50] But Philip's request does have a little bit of a problem.
[00:58:55] Now, if I'm going to be fair to the text, I've got to point that out to you.
[00:59:00] I want you to circle those words in verse 8.
[00:59:03] Show us.
[00:59:05] Because that word in the original Greek literally means to expose to the eyes.
[00:59:11] That's what that word show us means.
[00:59:15] And Philip is literally saying, Lord, we want to see God with our eyes.
[00:59:24] Now,
[00:59:25] I can appreciate in many ways how Philip must have felt in making this request.
[00:59:32] But there is a problem that we've got to acknowledge and we've got to recognize.
[00:59:37] Philip is saying, we want something we can see.
[00:59:47] Hello.
[00:59:48] We want something we can see.
[00:59:51] and that is the very natural desire of the human heart is it not but we've got to be wise enough and we've got to be smart enough to recognize that is where image worship comes from all the way back
[01:00:07] In time.
[01:00:08] It's the reason Romans 1 talks about man turning from the true God and turning to the gods of his own making.
[01:00:16] Hold your finger here for just a moment in John chapter 14.
[01:00:20] Hold your finger because we're coming right back.
[01:00:22] But flip over to Romans chapter 1.
[01:00:24] In Romans chapter 1, look at verse 21 through 23.
[01:00:28] Romans chapter 1, look what it says.
[01:00:34] Because although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful
[01:00:44] but became futile in their thoughts and their foolish hearts were darkened.
[01:00:49] Professing to be wise, they became fools and they changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
[01:01:08] You see that?
[01:01:09] Verse 21 through 23.
[01:01:12] Man turned
[01:01:14] From the true God who is spirit and turned to a God he could see.
[01:01:22] So man began to make idols.
[01:01:25] Man begins to construct gods.
[01:01:30] You say, but wait a minute, Mark.
[01:01:32] We're living in 2025, almost the end of the year, in modern America.
[01:01:37] We don't see a whole lot of worship of four-footed beasts.
[01:01:44] But ladies and gentlemen, I'm here to tell you this morning there are many, many Americans that are still saying, I want a God I can see.
[01:02:00] Listen, I want a God that I can put my hands on.
[01:02:05] I want a God that I can take a picture of.
[01:02:09] Or in today's society, I want a God I can have a selfie with.
[01:02:15] That's what they're looking for.
[01:02:17] And the bottom line, ladies and gentlemen, is that the little g God of America has now for a generation been materialism.
[01:02:29] It is the material.
[01:02:31] We are worshiping at the shrine of the material.
[01:02:36] And you may say, well, wait a minute, Mark.
[01:02:39] How can I know?
[01:02:40] You want a personal checkup this morning?
[01:02:43] Let me give you a personal check-up.
[01:02:45] You can determine what kind of God you worship by what kind of goals you set in life.
[01:02:59] What are the goals you have for yourself?
[01:03:03] I mean, what are you driving for?
[01:03:08] Because see, if it is material things that have become your goal in life,
[01:03:14] Then when you arrive at your goal, the book of Ecclesiastes makes it very clear you're going to find yourself with a very empty and very futile heart.
[01:03:24] And it won't satisfy the deepest needs of your human soul.
[01:03:33] And I'll tell you this, the Bible says that the things that really do matter in life, hello, they're the things you cannot see.
[01:03:45] The things that really matter in this life are the things you cannot put your hands on.
[01:03:51] They are the things you really can't take a picture of.
[01:03:58] Try as you may, you can't take the picture of the love that a little child has for their mama or their daddy.
[01:04:11] Try as you may,
[01:04:13] You can't take a picture of the grace of God.
[01:04:18] Try as you may, you can't take a picture of the salvation that Jesus brings into your heart or into a life.
[01:04:31] Now listen, Philip's on the right track.
[01:04:35] But he had to be careful.
[01:04:37] He needed to check his motives.
[01:04:44] His request?
[01:04:47] Show us the Father that it will satisfy us.
[01:04:57] But then the second thing I want you to see real quick is I want you to see the reply because that is fascinating what Jesus said.
[01:05:07] Actually in verse 9 I would almost call it a slight rebuke.
[01:05:12] A mild rebuke, if you will.
[01:05:15] And you see in verse 9, Jesus said to him, Have I been with you so long, and yet you've not known me, Philip?
[01:05:25] It's as if Jesus says, Philip, you've been right here with me now for three years, and you still haven't quite understood?
[01:05:35] By the way, you do know that it's possible to be in the presence of the obvious and miss it altogether.
[01:05:42] Hello.
[01:05:44] It is possible to be in the very presence of God himself and the things of God and the power of God and miss it all together.
[01:05:55] And it's just awesome to open your eyes and actually see how God is working and what God is doing.
[01:06:03] And in verse nine, Jesus says again, you can only know God through me.
[01:06:13] That's it.
[01:06:15] Period.
[01:06:15] Full stop.
[01:06:18] Now listen, nature can reveal some things to you about God.
[01:06:22] For instance, you can know by nature that God exists
[01:06:28] You can know by nature the power of God when you look this time of year at the beauty of the creation and the changing colors of the leaves and all of nature around you.
[01:06:40] You can see the power of God and you can see that God exists but by, listen, by nature you'll never know God is a God of love and a God of grace and God had to be revealed.
[01:06:59] In a person.
[01:07:01] And he is revealed in the person of Jesus Christ.
[01:07:08] That's how God...
[01:07:12] Listen.
[01:07:14] It's how Jesus Christ is the invisible God made visible.
[01:07:22] Do you get that?
[01:07:25] Jesus is the invisible God
[01:07:28] And Jesus actually replies, I love the two statements he says here.
[01:07:36] He says there's two clear ways that you can see God in me.
[01:07:42] What are they?
[01:07:43] Number one, I speak the words of God.
[01:07:47] And number two, I do the works of God.
[01:07:51] Jesus is saying to Philip, he's saying to the disciples, if you want to know for sure, here's what you bank on.
[01:07:59] First, on the words I speak, and secondly, on the works I do.
[01:08:04] Jesus says, when I speak, the Father is speaking.
[01:08:08] Jesus says, when I act, the Father is acting.
[01:08:13] And if you just stop for a minute and think about the words that Jesus says.
[01:08:17] You remember the time when the soldiers were getting ready to arrest Jesus.
[01:08:21] They had been ordered to go and arrest him.
[01:08:23] They came to the edge of the crowd and they listened.
[01:08:26] And they came back, having not made the arrest, and they expressed when they were asked why, they said, never, never a man speak like this man.
[01:08:40] Amen?
[01:08:42] I agree.
[01:08:44] Never has any man spoken like this man, Jesus.
[01:08:51] And Jesus said, the words I speak to you, they are spirit.
[01:08:56] They are life.
[01:08:58] And friend, Jesus is the only one who I know of that could speak a word to a dead man and bring that dead man back to the realm of life.
[01:09:09] Jesus is the only one who could speak a word by long distance and could heal people by his very word.
[01:09:20] Just think about it.
[01:09:24] The words I speak
[01:09:27] are the words of God, Jesus says.
[01:09:33] And then the works I do, ladies and gentlemen, in every activity, in every work of Jesus, we see the Father revealed.
[01:09:51] I don't care when he was working as a carpenter dealing with the public,
[01:09:58] You see the Father.
[01:10:01] When he was serving as a teacher, dealing with the critics and all of the naysayers, you could see the Father.
[01:10:13] and His Savior.
[01:10:15] When He's hanging on that cross, you see the Father sacrificing in order to bring humanity to Himself.
[01:10:24] When Jesus died on the cross, ladies and gentlemen, it was God giving Himself to bear the sins of the world.
[01:10:34] If you don't understand anything else, make sure you hear this.
[01:10:37] When you see Jesus reaching out to touch a leper, you're seeing the mercy of God.
[01:10:43] When you see Jesus calming the storm on the sea, you're seeing the power of God.
[01:10:50] When you see the sinless life of Jesus Christ being lived day in and day out, you are seeing the holiness of God.
[01:10:59] When you see the Lord Jesus Christ receiving sinners and even eating with them, you are seeing the grace of God.
[01:11:09] And when you see Jesus dying on the cross, you see the love of God.
[01:11:25] Jesus said, look and listen to my words.
[01:11:31] Look and see the works.
[01:11:36] Philip, someone has said it, and I believe it's true.
[01:11:44] If you want to break it down, Jesus is God spelling Himself out in a language that man can understand.
[01:11:57] Jesus is God spelling Himself out in a language that man can understand.
[01:12:06] That's why the only way you'll ever know the eternal God of this universe is through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
[01:12:17] There's just no other way that it works.
[01:12:24] One last thing and I'm done.
[01:12:26] I want you to look at verse 12.
[01:12:29] Because there's a revelation.
[01:12:31] You may remember now, Jesus uses the words in verse 12.
[01:12:36] He uses this word, most assuredly.
[01:12:39] Some of your translations use the word verily, verily.
[01:12:43] Whether it says most assuredly or verily, verily, here's what it means.
[01:12:49] Listen up.
[01:12:51] that's what Jesus says listen up important information here and then in verse 12 there is a stunning statement most assuredly in other words listen up I say to you he who believes in me the works that I do he will do also and greater works than these
[01:13:22] He will do because I go to the Father.
[01:13:31] Now you might want to look at it again just so your eyes didn't fool you.
[01:13:36] You do see there the possibility of doing greater works or greater works being done than what Jesus himself did.
[01:13:48] You do see that in verse 12, right?
[01:13:50] You can underline it.
[01:13:52] Jesus said, if you believe in me, you'll do greater works than I did.
[01:14:00] You say, but Mark, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
[01:14:05] Jesus raised the dead.
[01:14:08] Yeah, I know that.
[01:14:10] And Jesus said, you'll do greater works.
[01:14:14] Oh, wait a minute, Mark.
[01:14:16] Jesus gave sight to the blind.
[01:14:20] Yeah, I know that.
[01:14:23] And yet, Jesus said, you'll do a greater work.
[01:14:34] What's Jesus really saying here?
[01:14:37] What's he doing in these statements?
[01:14:42] Well, we know that when Jesus came to earth,
[01:14:47] He confined Himself to time and space.
[01:14:53] We know when Jesus came to earth, He confined Himself to a geographical location.
[01:15:01] We know for the most part, as he enters his earthly ministry and lived it out over those three years, Jesus was limited to really just a few hundred miles.
[01:15:12] I mean, from top to bottom, side to side, the Holy Land, you're not dealing with a big piece of property.
[01:15:19] It was really a very small piece of property.
[01:15:22] And yet, the earthly life and ministry of Jesus was conducted all within that little space.
[01:15:32] We also know that, relatively speaking, the number of converts that Jesus had in his earthly ministry were not real large.
[01:15:45] In fact, if you recall in the upper room of Acts, there were only 120 people that were there.
[01:15:53] Obviously, there were more converts than 120, but my point is there wasn't a massive number of converts when Jesus walked on this earth.
[01:16:04] And yet, when you study the lives of the disciples,
[01:16:08] And you study the lives of the followers of Jesus in the first century, you're going to find they went everywhere preaching the gospel.
[01:16:18] In fact, on the very first day, the day of Pentecost, 3,000 souls were saved.
[01:16:26] And within the first 300 years in the history of the early church,
[01:16:31] The temples of the Roman Empire were shut closed and literally millions of people were won to faith in Jesus Christ.
[01:16:40] In fact, it's reported that nearly one half of Jerusalem was actually converted.
[01:16:48] And you have to think that all of those early church followers were hearing ringing in those ears
[01:16:59] The words of Jesus, greater works than these will you do.
[01:17:11] You see, that's where we get all messed up.
[01:17:15] Jesus isn't talking about the miracles the apostles performed.
[01:17:21] The miracles the apostles performed were no greater than the miracles Jesus had done.
[01:17:27] No, no, no, no.
[01:17:31] That's where our mind gets convoluted.
[01:17:35] Jesus indicated there was something greater than the physical miracles he performed.
[01:17:43] You remember back there in Mark chapter 2?
[01:17:45] In Mark chapter 2, there was this man that was paralyzed and his friends brought him to Jesus.
[01:17:51] You remember?
[01:17:52] I mean, if you remember that story, raise your hand.
[01:17:54] You remember?
[01:17:54] That friends brought him to Jesus, and you know they lay him down in front of Jesus, they bring him in, and you remember the question Jesus asked?
[01:18:03] He said, which is easier to do?
[01:18:06] Say to this man, your sins are forgiven?
[01:18:09] Or to say, rise, take up your bed, and walk?
[01:18:16] Why did Jesus even pose that question?
[01:18:19] I'll tell you why.
[01:18:20] Because Jesus is saying, I'm going to show you I can do the invisible by doing the visible.
[01:18:30] He did the visible by healing the man to walk.
[01:18:35] He did the invisible by forgiving that man of his sin.
[01:18:40] An invisible work of the human heart.
[01:18:47] Ladies and gentlemen, please don't miss this.
[01:18:50] Jesus Christ was saying the spiritual will always be greater than the material.
[01:19:00] He is always saying the spiritual will be greater than the physical.
[01:19:07] So when you and I tell the gospel of Jesus Christ, when you and I lead people to faith in Jesus Christ, we have performed a greater work than physical miracles.
[01:19:20] That's what Jesus is saying.
[01:19:22] And he's saying you, sir, you, ma'am,
[01:19:25] Every day that you live are able to do greater works than these.
[01:19:30] Let me tell you, it's a great work to give sight to blinded eyes, but it's a greater work to open the eyes that are blinded by sin.
[01:19:43] It's a great work to raise Lazarus from the dead, but it is a greater work to see lives removed
[01:19:55] From the deadness of sin on their lives.
[01:20:02] Don't miss it, sir.
[01:20:05] Don't miss the Word of God.
[01:20:07] Because you and I have the awesome opportunity to be involved in the greater work.
[01:20:15] of seeing people come to faith in Jesus Christ.
[01:20:20] The greater work of being engaged in the soul winning enterprise of the Lord Jesus Christ.
[01:20:29] But listen, and I'm finished.
[01:20:34] If this really is the greater work, how do you do it?
[01:20:42] How do you shift your mind
[01:20:45] From living and thinking only about the material and the physical and missing the spiritual.
[01:20:53] Well, Jesus answers it right here.
[01:20:56] Let me just list it for you, we're done.
[01:20:59] Number one, it starts in prayer in his name.
[01:21:04] That's what he said right there in verse 13.
[01:21:07] He said, in my name.
[01:21:11] And by the way, it's not a magic formula you tack on at the end of your prayers.
[01:21:16] It simply means that when you pray, sir, when you pray, ma'am, in Jesus' name, you are asking the kind of things
[01:21:24] that Jesus asked for.
[01:21:26] That's what that means.
[01:21:28] By the way, every time we pray asking for something, we better ask ourselves, is this what Jesus would pray?
[01:21:37] Is this what Jesus would ask for?
[01:21:42] It starts with prayer in his name.
[01:21:46] Secondly, you must obey him.
[01:21:49] He says it clearly here in the verse.
[01:21:52] Keep my commandments.
[01:21:55] Guard my commandments.
[01:21:58] Treasure my commandments.
[01:22:01] See, if you and I are obedient to Jesus Christ, there's no limit to what He's willing to do in and through our lives.
[01:22:09] In fact, obedience is better than sacrifice, the Bible says.
[01:22:14] And you do know that, I hope.
[01:22:16] How do you do this greater work?
[01:22:20] Prayer.
[01:22:22] Obedience.
[01:22:24] And then finally, you gotta love Him.
[01:22:29] You must love Him.
[01:22:33] Verse 15, if you love me, if you love me, if you love me, keep my commandments.
[01:22:51] It all stems from love.
[01:22:55] Love of Christ is the foundation of it all.
[01:23:01] Love is the spring from which obedience flows.
[01:23:07] In fact, I've become convinced that this is the real key to the Christian life.
[01:23:14] I mean, it's right here in the Bible in verse 15.
[01:23:19] It's loving Jesus Christ.
[01:23:21] If I had to define Christianity,
[01:23:24] The simplest way I know how.
[01:23:27] It really is a love affair between the soul and the Savior of Jesus Christ.
[01:23:34] It's real simple.
[01:23:36] Not near as complicated as we try to make it.
[01:23:39] Or I should say, as we rationalize it to be.
[01:23:43] Because we often rationalize it to make it complicated.
[01:23:47] To make us feel better about what we do.
[01:23:49] But it's really very simple.
[01:23:52] I love Him.
[01:23:54] And if I love Him, I do what He tells me to do.
[01:24:02] Full stop.
[01:24:04] I love Him, and if I love Him, I do what He tells me to do.
[01:24:12] And it may not come natural to do what He tells me to do, but I love Him.
[01:24:20] So I do what He tells me to do, empowered by His Spirit to do it.
[01:24:28] But I do it because I love Him.
[01:24:36] That's the Christian life.
[01:24:39] If you want to know the Father, you come to know Him through Jesus or you'll never know Him at all.
[01:24:50] You'll know about Him, but you'll never know Him.
[01:24:56] It's only through Jesus.
[01:24:59] Would you bow your heads right where you are, please?
[01:25:01] Heads bowed and eyes closed.
[01:25:05] I don't know what the Lord may be saying to your heart this morning.
[01:25:11] I mean, I guess it could be saying to you that if you're living a life in total disobedience and total ignoring of God and you're living life in the total opposite direction of what God's Word says, then I guess you could probably assume you don't love Him.
[01:25:31] Safe assumption.
[01:25:36] I love Him.
[01:25:40] And I will do what He says.
[01:25:43] Not because it comes naturally, but by the power of the Holy Spirit.
[01:25:51] He gives me the strength to obey Him.
[01:25:56] Obedience is greater than sacrifice.
[01:25:59] Don't miss that.
[01:26:03] What's God saying to your heart this morning?
[01:26:07] Are you yielded to Him?
[01:26:12] Philip asked a great question or made a great request when he said Lord show us the Father and boy did that open up a conversation there's a lot of things you may be asking God but I challenge you to check the motive
[01:26:43] Father, you know the need of every man and woman under the sound of my voice.
[01:26:48] Even more than that, you know the spiritual condition of every man and woman under the sound of my voice.
[01:26:56] You know each of our hearts.
[01:26:59] You know if we love you and you know if we don't.
[01:27:07] You know if we seek you or if we don't.
[01:27:15] And right now, Lord, as your Holy Spirit just moves in the midst of this sanctuary, help us to simply hear your voice and to respond as your Spirit leads.
[01:27:37] Father, if there's someone here today that doesn't know you as their Savior, at this very moment,
[01:27:45] You're convicting their heart.
[01:27:48] I pray that they would repent of their sin today, place their faith in Jesus alone, and surrender to Him as Lord of their life.
[01:27:59] Father, if there is a believer here today, and You're convicting them of something in their life, I pray that they'll have the wisdom to realize that You brought them here
[01:28:14] For this very moment to draw them back to your place that you have for them.
[01:28:23] Father, may you guide everything in these closing moments of this service by your power and your spirit.
[01:28:34] For it's in Jesus' name we pray.
[01:28:37] Amen.
[01:28:37] Would you stand to your feet right where you are as Brother Grant comes to lead us in our hymn of invitation.
[01:28:42] I invite you to come.

[01:29:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]:
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come into thy freedom, gladness, and light.
[01:29:27] In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
[01:29:33] Amen.

[01:30:11] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
Jesus, I come to thee Out of earth's sorrows into thy home Out of thy storms and into thy cold Out of distress to jubilant soul

[01:30:47] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
of Christ and the Son of God.

[01:31:19] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
Jesus, I come to thee.

[01:31:39] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Thank you all so much for worshiping with us today.
[01:31:42] I pray that the Lord has spoken to your heart and that you have been encouraged by His Word.
[01:31:47] And I want to encourage you to make plans to be with us tonight.
[01:31:50] We're going to be having our special harvest celebration dinner tonight over at the Statesville Civic Community Center.
[01:31:59] And we want you to make plans to be with us.
[01:32:01] You'll see in the bulletin the information is there.
[01:32:03] It gets underway at 6 o'clock.
[01:32:05] Tonight, and we would love everyone to be there.
[01:32:08] You're going to be hearing vision as we look at 2026 and what lies ahead.
[01:32:14] As we see God moving and working, we'll be talking a little bit about the greater works, opportunity that is in front of us as we go into 2026, and I hope that you will make plans to be there.
[01:32:25] It'll just be a wonderful time.
[01:32:26] Begins 6 o'clock, come a little early, get there and get your seat.
[01:32:30] It'll be a night of inspiration, celebration, and worship.
[01:32:34] and a lot of good food that's going to be there as well tonight.
[01:32:38] So please make plans, plans to be with us.
[01:32:41] Brother Robert's going to come and close us out with a word and then Grant's going to sing us out of here today and thank you for your faithfulness as you continue to serve him.

[01:32:52] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
Thank you so much Pastor Mark for another powerful message and indeed we are looking forward to the Harvest of Hope celebration tonight.
[01:32:59] If you want to help out in any capacity we'd welcome you in.
[01:33:02] A lot of preparation leading up to it and afterwards setting it up and tearing it down and transporting items.
[01:33:08] So stick around or come to the church anytime between 1 to 4 or up at the Civic Center and there'll be something for you to do indeed.
[01:33:15] Thank you so much.
[01:33:16] But our benediction today comes from the book of Colossians and starting in chapter 1 verse 9, this is the word of the Lord.
[01:33:24] And so from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will and all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
[01:33:35] So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
[01:34:00] Jesus has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and has transferred us to the kingdom of his light.
[01:34:08] In Christ we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
[01:34:11] Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, for by him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities, all things were created through him and for him.
[01:34:29] He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
[01:34:33] He is the head of the body of the church.
[01:34:35] He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent.
[01:34:42] For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross.
[01:34:58] Would you pray with me?
[01:35:00] Holy Heavenly Father, God, we truly do adore you today as we close out this service.
[01:35:06] We confess our need for Christ.
[01:35:08] We're so incredibly thankful, Lord, that his blood has washed us clean.
[01:35:12] His righteousness now covers us.
[01:35:14] Father, we preach the gospel to ourselves as we prepare ourselves to go out and preach the gospel to others.
[01:35:21] Thank you for the cross.
[01:35:22] Thank you for the Holy Spirit that empowers us to carry out your perfect and pleasing will.
[01:35:27] Help us to walk uprightly.
[01:35:29] Hold our hand as we walk through life together, Lord.
[01:35:32] Look into Jesus, the author, the founder, the perfecter of our faith.
[01:35:36] We thank you for the love that he has shown us, Father, because as a result of that love, it empowers us to love him and to love others.
[01:35:44] We ask this in his precious name.
[01:35:45] Amen.

[01:35:53] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
There's a sweet, sweet spirit in this place And I know that it's the spirit of the Lord There are sweet expressions on each place And I know that it's the presence of the Lord
[01:36:33] of the Holy Spirit.